Looking for some advice. I have a 2010 Streetfighter with 7k miles that's been sitting in my unheated garage in Massachusetts for about 5 or 6 years. I want to get it running so I can sell it. Is it okay for me to just put some gas, oil, and clutch fluid in it and try to start it? Ducati store says I should bring it in so they can change the timing belt and give it a general service (all in about $1200) bc the timing belt could be dried out and/or cracked and, if so, it will destroy the headers. My motorcycle buddies say that's BS. What do you all think?
Looking for some advice. I have a 2010 Streetfighter with 7k miles that's been sitting in my unheated garage in Massachusetts for about 5 or 6 years. I want to get it running so I can sell it. Is it okay for me to just put some gas, oil, and clutch fluid in it and try to start it? Ducati store says I should bring it in so they can change the timing belt and give it a general service (all in about $1200) bc the timing belt could be dried out and/or cracked and, if so, it will destroy the headers. My motorcycle buddies say that's BS. What do you all think?
If it's been parked up for seven odd years and you're going to use it from now on in,then yes replace the belts for peace of mind.
Your motorcycle buddies are wrong ! maybe !!! If the belts are gone and you start the bike and they break its a paperweight , and welcome to the forum
My first Ducati had been sitting around for approximately 5 plus years,they're changed before it was recommissioned / fired up.
The bike engine will become uneconomical to repair so the bike will more than likely become a very nice paperweight hence I wouldn't chance it ! I'd also imagine anyone interested in the bike who knows there stuff will want them done too buddy !
It will just so much scrap if the old belts let go. Your mates are talking out of their rectums! Your injectors will probably need cleaning as well after standing for that long they're probably gummed up as will the fuel pump also. Steve R
This may help: https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/timing-belts-the-kiss-of-death.80340/page-2#post-1698118
Start it up. If your engine gets destroyed, get your Buddies to pay for the damage, if they are certain it's BS.
This may help: https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/timing-belts-the-kiss-of-death.80340/page-2#post-1698118
Sell it as is and be honest to the buyer, so they can deal with the timing belts. Or find an independent servicer and change the belts.
CHANGE THE BELTS! it's a no brainer. Just put my 2007 MY 1098 back on the road after a 6 year layup and didn't even consider starting it until firstly belts had been replaced and then fuel filter, oil filter and oil changed then new battery an fresh fuel. No, I wasn't and don' t intend to sell it but I could easily have tried to start it just to make sure it would still start and run OK before starting work but wouldn't take the risk. If you don't want to replace them first the do the right thing and make the buyer aware that they can't test run it and of course take the hit on the sale price. Finally get some new mates (buddies) who can recognise BS especially their own.
controversial and you can glean a path forward with a combination of all the above. Not being patronising but from what you've said :- Unless you can get someone whose expertise you feel certain you can trust on the subject of belts to examine them, and just as importantly their current tension, and the conditions of static and adjustable idlers bearings - carefully turning the engine over by hand (doesn't take long to get the covers off) then you ought to change them really as suggested several times above.
